Monday, August 24, 2015

Carving Your Own Stamps

Ever feel like making your own rubber-stamps?

SKETCHES:I was working in my art journal the other day and felt like adding some wings to my design.I got out my sketchbook and drew some wing patterns. I thought it would be a great idea to create some rubber-stamps out of these designs so i can use them over and over in my mixed media art.

TRANSFER: I traced my sketches using some tracing paper and a charcoal pencil. This soft pencil helps make a nice transfer. I then placed my sketch facing down over a Speedball Carving Block. Gently i retraced over the wing to get a reverse design on the block.

CARVING: I then used used a Speedball Linoleum Cutter to carve out my design, switching blade size for large and small areas. I wanted to carve a positive image so i carved away the light areas of my image.

TRIMMING: I used a larger blade to trim off the excess and finished it off with scissors.

TESTING MY STAMP: I inked my stamps and stamped them on white paper to see if i needed to go back and carve some more. I was pleased with my design.